My psychologist is gone

[Hopps]

Hi everyone. I apologise in advance for my rambling.

i returned home from a 4 week holiday yesterday to a voicemail from my psychologists receptionist saying that my appointment today was cancelled because my psychologist had resigned and was no longer working there. I’m completely devastated. I had been seeing him every two weeks for 3 years and he is the first one to actually want to help with my c-ptsd after trying many, many others.

I saw him the day before I left and we spoke about long term treatment plans and help to get me through the holidays after a recent issue with suicidal thoughts and self harm. Now he is gone.

Yesterday was also the anniversary of my mother’s death (4 years ago) which is always really difficult. I also found out that my dad is now getting married to a woman I have never met.

Usually my GP is my backup if I can’t talk to my psychologist and I’m feeling like I am now but he has had a family emergency and has left the country and they aren’t sure when he will be back.

I’m feeling completely alone and lost. The thought of starting again with another psychologist.....I just can’t do it

Maybe I just need some sleep

thanks for reading- I just needed to vent somewhere where people might understand

[PandorasLocksmith]

Hi Hopps,

my heart goes out to you! Losing a psychologist with no warning like that is traumatic. Is there any way you can Google him or find him on Linked In to see if he is working elsewhere now? If so you'll probably want to know why he left so suddenly.

I really hope you can find him again!

My last psychologist before the one I see now, ditched me between sessions in a phone call. It was very traumatic. I'm so lucky I found an excellent one after that who I'm happily seeing now.

Sleep is awesome to help process what is going on when you're feeling overwhelmed and it's safe. Your safety is paramount.

Thinking of you and looking forward to hearing what happens in the next while for you. We are here to listen.

Caring,

Pandora's Locksmith

[White_Rose]

Dear Hopps

Hello and welcome. It amazes me that the psych simply left. Usually, as I understand it, they start to disengage with their patients and help them find another therapist. There are circumstances when an abrupt departure is necessary but it's a shame when this happens. My psychologist left overnight, so to speak, when it was discovered he was a fraud. It's taken a while to get over this but these days I am feeling much better. My GP has now sent me to a psychiatrist who has been great.

Please accept my condolences on the death of your mom. These anniversaries can be hard though I can say it gets easier. You will never forget her but the pain of her loss will diminish. My mom died 19 years ago and I still miss her.

A double blow to have your GP away when you could do with some help. How are you with phone help? I suggest you try the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, available 24/7. Don't let the name put you off. I have found them excellent to talk to and it may be helpful to chat about your psych leaving.

In the meantime I invite you to continue writing here.

Mary

[Idkme]

Hi Hopps,

I completely understand your worry, what a harsh thing to do... big huge hugs from me (virtual ones if you're not that type of person).

On another point, psychologists are still just people doing a job... there are many reasons that he could have resigned and it won't do you any good wondering why or how you could have foreseen it or prepared for it. The positive is that there are plenty more 'fish in the sea' and whilst they will not be the same as your current Psychologist, you will have an opportunity to meet a new person (or more) and you can get new perspectives from this new relationship... who knows you might even find some new coping skills. Best advice I was ever given is that psychologists are like hairdressers.... if you don't like them than change your salon. Whilst I understand yours was a good one and it will be hard to replace him/her you just never know until you try... Change is difficult but it's often worth the struggle.

I hope you find comfort in some (or many) forms very soon and that you keep us posted with how you go.

Regards,